It was not America that opened the gates of hell

Yesterday the warning was about “Lebanizing” Iraq; today the warning has been about “Iraqizing” Lebanon. The “gates of hell” have opened, as Amr Moussa [the secretary general of the Arab League] promised us on the eve of the overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s regime. But who are those who have opened the "gates of hell" on the Middle East, with their explosions and their assassinations? Are they the Americans who overthrew one of the bloodiest regimes in modern times and provided the opportunity to hold the first Iraqi elections in 50 years? Are they the Americans who, along with the French, who issued U.N. Resolution 1559, which seeks to return sovereignty and independence to Lebanon? Or is it those who are working to forbid Lebanese and the Iraqis from attaining their right to freedom and independence by killing the symbols of freedom and independence in both countries?

Who is responsible for delaying and obstructing Lebanese and Iraqi independence, and for prolonging Syrian patronage and the American occupation? Is it the Americans, who are desperately trying to find an exit strategy from Iraq - or is it the remnants of the Baath Party, their terrorist allies and the regimes that fund and arm them, foiling any hope of building democracy in Arab lands from the Levant to Baghdad?

After killing off Rafiq Hariri, who was it that set off the explosives that killed George Hawi [Former Lebanese Communist Party leader] and before him Samir Kassir [a Lebanese columnist]? Is it a coincidence that all the victims were amongst those fighting for the liberation of their country and seeking to achieve independence from guardianship and submission? Who is killing the symbols of sovereignty in Iraq - from police to National Guard, to MPs and elected officials?

No doubt the message has been received …

The message that has been received in Iraq and Lebanon is that it is not permissible for people in Arabs lands to dare ask for freedom and true independence; even if the whole world stood in support of such people.